Neha Patil (Editor)

Cathaoirleach

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Inaugural holder
  
Lord Glenavy

Website
  
Official website

Formation
  
6 December 1922

Cathaoirleach

Appointer
  
Elected by the members of Seanad Éireann at start of a new term after a general election.

Term length
  
No term limits are imposed on the office.

Cathaoirleach (/kəˈhɪərləx/; Irish for "chairperson"; plural: Cathaoirligh) is the title of the chair (or presiding officer) of Seanad Éireann, the sixty-member upper house of the Oireachtas, the legislature of Ireland. The current Cathaoirleach is Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan, since 8 June 2016.

Contents

Powers and functions

The Cathaoirleach is the sole judge of order and has a range of powers and functions namely:

  • Calls on members to speak and all speeches must be addressed to the Chair.
  • Puts such questions to the House as are required, supervises Divisions and declares the results.
  • Has authority to suppress disorder, to enforce prompt obedience to Rulings and may order members to withdraw from the House or name them for suspension by the House itself for a period.
  • In the case of great disorder can suspend or adjourn the House.

    • The Cathaoirleach is also an ex-officio member of the Presidential Commission, the collective vice-presidency of Ireland.

    Cathaoirleach

    This list includes the panel (since 1938) and political affiliation of each Cathaoirleach as well as the number of their Seanad Éireann and time they spent in the position.

    Leas-Chathaoirleach

    The Cathaoirleach's deputy is the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The current Leas-Cathaoirleach is Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan, since 15 June 2016.

    Other uses

    The term Cathaoirleach is also used in a generic sense for chairs of various organisations and local authorities. Many voluntary organisations, associations and clubs also employ this term, for example county boards and clubs of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

    References

    Cathaoirleach Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA